L-arginine enhances your athletic performance and promotes muscle growth.
According to one study, researchers found that L-arginine upregulates the secretion of growth hormones, which stimulate the process of muscle repair.
Moreover, this amino acid improves your performance in the gym, which inadvertently leads to more effective training sessions and a bigger lean muscle mass.
In a 2017 randomized study, 57 soccer players took 2 grams of L-arginine for 45 days. When researchers compared the performance of the players before and after taking L-arginine, they found a significant difference, as L-arginine drastically improved their performance.
However, and similar to other dietary supplements, taking this amino acid without exercising regularly will not yield any magical results. You need to work hard and add the supplement for further support.
What are the other benefits of L-arginine?
It regulates blood pressure
If you have high blood pressure, L-arginine supplements may lower both the systolic and diastolic readings.
In a 2016 review that included 7 studies, researchers found that supplementing your body with oral and intravenous L-arginine lowers blood pressure by up to 5 mm/Hg.
It regulates blood sugar levels
Scientists found that L-arginine benefits diabetic patients by optimizing the metabolism of glucose and insulin.
Interestingly, improving insulin sensitivity may also be a factor in promoting muscle growth, as insulin is an anabolic hormone.
It improves muscle soreness
L-arginine interferes with the process of muscle tissue repair by improving blood flow and upregulating the production of anabolic hormones.
The increased blood flow inside the muscle fibers will speed up the process of removing lactic acid; as a result, you are less likely to develop delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS).
Note that L-arginine also shortens the intensity and duration of preexisting muscle soreness.